The latest commercial building on the South Coast of Barbados, which is now under construction, has come under fire from the Barbados National Trust.
The construction of Lewis Tower has brought the demolition of a 20th century house which was restored 15 years ago.
In a press release dated May 20th the Barbados National Trust expressed its dismay and considerable regret following the recent demolition of Carmen which housed Lewis Drug Mart and once graced the Barbados landscape.
According to the National Trust Carmen (Lewis Drug Mart), formerly located in Rockley, was a splendid example of early twentieth century Barbadian vernacular. It had been lovingly restored some fifteen years ago and was in top shape.
Moreover the press releases states, “It was a structure of character, one of the Barbadian survivors on a strip of road now undergoing a rapid conversion to some faux approximation of a Greater Miami streetscape. The bill board depicting its proposed replacement shows a rectangular, box like structure which can be found anywhere, any place.”
The Trust further contends that the new building is a total lack of architectural credibility does nothing to justify the demolition of Carmen and more importantly nothing to contribute to our national identity and national pride.
In February 2010, developers of the Lewis Tower said, “The Lewis Tower will feature three floors of commercial space which will be leased by the floor and not as usually done by specific office spaces.”
Heather Lewis of Lewis Drug Mart leads development of the property and explained that the commercial floor space will be available for five year lease.
The Tower will house Lewis Drug Mart on the ground floor. Meanwhile the new facility will bring a bigger commercial space to Lewis Drug Mart, which in turn will bring more varied stock and a larger shopping space for clients. The family owned business will have similar offerings to the US largest drugstore chain.
The floor space available for lease starts on the first floor which has 2,212 square feet, while the second floor offering is 2,774 square feet and 2,539 square feet for the third floor which includes a balcony area.
In February 2010, Heather Lewis explained to Bimre that one of the main reasons for putting plans for the Lewis Tower into action is that the current property has needed constant repairs and developing a new property would eliminate that constant need.
The Lewis Tower should be a major complement to the development that is already taking place on the south coast. Lanterns Shopping centre which is just a few feet away is set to bring significant retail space to the area later in 2010.
